Piper reiterates J.C. Penney as top pick for 2015Piper Jaffray analyst Neely Tamminga reiterates J.C. Penney as a top pick for 2015 ahead of the retailer's year-end 2014 earnings report. Tamminga believes Penny's comp for February, the first month of its fiscal year, could be tracking up 4%. The analyst also thinks Penny management could express conviction in the retailer's plan to recapture share among moderate consumers on Thursday's earnings call. Tamminga has an Overweight rating on Penny with a $12 price target.

JPMorgan positive on First Solar, SunPower joint venture talksJPMorgan says its initial view is positive of the First Solar (FSLR), SunPower (SPWR) advanced talks to form a joint venture. The firm believes the initial portfolio of the combined YieldCo should be 1.2GW or more, which it thinks would support "strong" dividend growth. It has an Overweight rating on both names.

First Solar gaps up after hours, levels to watchShares were last up over 11% to $55.27 following news that the company was in discussion with SunPower (SPWR) to create a joint venture YieldCo vehicle. SunPower shares were also rallying. At current price next resistance is at $56.99. Support is at $54.29.

First Solar, SunPower rally after saying they are in talks to form YieldCo Solar stocks are moving up in extended trading this afternoon after First Solar (FSLR) and SunPower (SPWR) announced that they are in advanced negotiations to form a joint YieldCo vehicle. WHAT'S NEW: First Solar and SunPower announced that they are in advanced negotiations to form a joint YieldCo vehicle to which they each expect to contribute a portfolio of selected solar generation assets from their existing portfolio of assets. Upon the execution of a master formation agreement, the parties intend to file a registration statement with the SEC for an initial public offering of limited partner interests in the YieldCo. Formation of the YieldCo and completion of the IPO are subject to, among other things, the execution of definitive documentation, each party’s board approval and regulatory approval. PRICE ACTION: First Solar is up over 10% to $54.90 in the after hours while SunPower is higher by over 12% to $31.27. OTHERS TO WATCH: Other solar stocks gaining in after-hours trading include SolarCity Corporation (SCTY), Trina Solar (TSL), JA Solar Holdings (JASO), SunEdison (SUNE), and Canadian Solar (CSIQ).

First Solar, SunPower plan to partner to form joint YieldCo vehicle First Solar (FSLR) and SunPower (SPWR) announced that they are in advanced negotiations to form a joint YieldCo vehicle to which they each expect to contribute a portfolio of selected solar generation assets from their existing portfolio of assets. Upon the execution of a master formation agreement, the parties intend to file a registration statement with the SEC for an initial public offering of limited partner interests in the YieldCo. Formation of the YieldCo and completion of the IPO are subject to, among other things, the execution of definitive documentation, each party’s board approval and regulatory approval. There is no assurance that the YieldCo will be formed or that the IPO will be consummated or that any other transaction will occur.

Solar stocks struggle in extended session after SolarCity resultsSolar stocks are trading down in the extended session after SolarCity (SCTY) reported a larger fourth quarter loss than expected and guided to a first quarter loss well below consensus estimates. WHAT'S NEW: Solar city said adjusted non-GAAP earnings per share for Q4 was a loss of ($1.33) against estimates of a loss of ($1.27). Revenue for the quarter was in-line at $71.8M. The company also guided for a loss of ($1.75)-($1.65) per share in the current quarter which is below analysts' average estimates for a loss of ($1.25) per share. However, the company did note, " With end-market demand healthy and growing, our installation capacity steadily ramping and a majority of our financing needs secured for the year, we remain confident in achieving our guidance to deploy 920-1000MW in 2015." PRICE ACTION: Shares of SolarCity are down over 5% to $54.01 in the after-hours session. OTHERS TO WATCH: Other stocks in the solar space trading lower in the extended session include SunPower (SPWR), SunEdison (SUNE), Vivint Solar (VSLR), and First Solar (FSLR).

J.C. Penney move higher attributed to real estate speculationThe move higher in shares of J.C. Penney (JCP) is being attributed to speculation the company may look to monetize its real estate assets. The speculation seems to be originating from a Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) employee's webpage showing the retailer as a client. The JLL employee, Stephen Bridges, specializes in "assisting industrial users with the lease, purchase, and sale of real estate." It is not clear when Penny became a client of JLL. Shares of Penny rallied to a high of $8.50, and are trading up 16c to $8.29 in early trading. Reference Link